Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has delivered a blunt message to Mikel Arteta and his players, insisting that topping their UEFA Champions League group will count for nothing if they fail to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

Henry, speaking on CBS Sports, played down Arsenal’s dominant league-phase performance, reminding fans that last season’s winners, Paris Saint-Germain, did not even finish in the top eight after the group stage — yet still went on to claim the title.

The former Gunners striker was reacting to fellow pundit Micah Richards, who praised Arsenal’s form and suggested that Premier League clubs were “dominating” Europe this season. Henry was quick to shut that narrative down.

“It’s about winning it. That’s all it is, nothing else,” Henry said.
“Paris Saint-Germain were not in the top eight last year. That’s a fact.”

Arsenal have been near-perfect in Europe, winning all seven of their matches so far and opening up a three-point lead over Bayern Munich at the top of the league-phase table. Their flawless run was briefly threatened on Tuesday night when Petar Šučić cancelled out Gabriel Jesus’ opener for Inter Milan at the San Siro.

However, Jesus restored Arsenal’s lead before Viktor Gyökeres sealed the win with a stunning first-time finish late in the game.

English clubs have enjoyed a strong Champions League campaign overall, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea all currently occupying top-eight positions. Still, Henry stressed that early dominance guarantees nothing, pointing to PSG’s playoff route to glory last season.

“It doesn’t matter. You have to be there in Budapest. That’s where you need to be,” he added.

Opinion: A Necessary Reality Check for Arsenal

Thierry Henry’s words may sound harsh, but they carry the weight of experience. Arsenal fans have every reason to be excited by their team’s European form — unbeaten, confident, and playing with maturity. Yet history repeatedly shows that the Champions League rewards mentality, not momentum alone.

Henry’s message is simple: style points don’t win medals. Arsenal can dominate the group phase, silence big stadiums, and top the table — but if they fall short in the knockout rounds, the season will be remembered as another near-miss.

For Arteta’s side, this warning could actually be a gift. It removes complacency and sharpens focus. Arsenal are no longer underdogs; expectations are rising. To truly announce themselves among Europe’s elite, they must turn promise into silverware.

As Henry rightly puts it, Budapest is the destination — everything else is just the journey.